Opal Lee Patterson, 90, North Manchester, died July 30 at Peabody Healthcare Center, North Manchester.

She was born Feb. 8, 1923 in Tuscaloosa, Ala., to Grover Cleveland and Rachel (Moore) Tucker. She married Paul E. Patterson on March 30, 1944. He passed away on July 31, 1987.

Patterson graduated from Tuscaloosa High School in 1940 where she was a member of the National Honors Society. She was employed at the University of Alabama as a secretary for four years. After she and her husband moved to North Manchester, she graduated from Manchester College in 1962, with distinction. She received her master’s degree in elementary education from St. Francis College, Fort Wayne in 1969. She taught at Thomas Marshall Elementary School in Columbia City and Chester Elementary School in North Manchester. She was a first grade teacher in the Metropolitan School District of Wabash County from 1970—1979. After retiring in 1979, she did private tutoring for adults. Her husband was an elementary teacher and principal at Laketon Elementary School.

She is survived by a daughter Diane M. (David) Ciolli, Springboro, Ohio; two grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Seven brothers, four sisters and her parents preceded her in death.

The funeral was held Aug. 2 in the Peabody Chapel, North Manchester. Reverend Sue Babovec and Pastor Mark Eastway officiated.

Burial will take place in Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester.

Preferred memorials are to Peabody Retirement Community Caring Circle, 400 W 7th Street, North Manchester, IN 46962 or North Manchester United Methodist Church, 306 E. 2nd Street, North Manchester, IN 46962.